Plus size clothes - but stylish! Does it exist?

[wheredidIleavemystyle]

I'm a size 24 and really struggling to find shops that stock my size that aren't frumpy.

I can find basics OK, but where should I go to find outfits for days when I want to look a bit more put together / stylish?

Where do other plus-sizers shop? Thanks :)

Most of Lands End ranges continue into the plus sizes, with the same nice fabrics as in the rest of the range.

Thanks, I'd not thought of them. However, I'd put Lands End firmly in the "basics" camp, though, wouldn't you? Useful for staples but not where I'd go if I'm after something a bit more stylish.

Joanne Hope, Nightingale

I love the drama of this Marina Rinaldi shirt.

And both parts of this outfit.

Reformation has a good selection of ‘extended sizes’ clothes to suit any occasion from casual to wedding.

Neither of these are the cheapest brands but it’s probably worth paying for the best cut / tailoring / fabric you can afford.

If money no object(!) try Marina Rinaldi - part of the Max Mara group.

Marina Rinaldi

When I was slimmer, I liked shops like Warehouse, French Connection, Fat Face, Ted Baker. I loved Boden dresses when I could still fit into them.

I like slightly quirky or masculine cuts plus mid or maxi dresses.

Are there any equivalent brands for larger women?

I'm not plus size so I hope you don't mind me piping up, but I follow @laura.adlington on insta and she does lots of plus size fashion content. I always think she looks really lovely and she tags the places all her stuff comes from. No idea if she's a similar size to you or not, but worth checking out maybe.

Seasalt?

ASOS curve for more trendy stuff, I tend to shop at Boden or John Lewis online, sometimes next , never have choices of sizes in shops but I'm a 22 so maybe at max end of some ranges. Tu has nice dresses etc great for casual and work.
Just got beautiful special occasion dress from phase eight.
I find easier to order and try at home , have to outlay cost and return but at least have more choice .

I haven’t bought from here before so don’t know quality etc, but planning to soon. They are size 10-30 and I think some of the dresses look lovely

bloomchic.com/collections/dresses-1

similarly size to you and I struggle to find nice clothes.

I can't afford the fancy brands and ASOS, Evans, Simply Be etc are patchy in quality

Im currently picking bits up from
Fatface
Boden
Seasalt
Joules
White Stuff

with basics from M&S & Next

Next are good for getting brands and easy to return on account - have bought most of the above brands in my size through Next and can return easily.

Maybe too old for you though - but Next do a lot of brands and you can buy one account and return what you don't need.

PS I don't work for Next

Nasty Gal

I know it's not popular on MN but I had some lovely clothes from Evans. I'm a curvy 14 and found that because their clothes were designed for fuller figures, they were more flattering than bigger sizes in clothes designed for slimmer figures.

That said I've not ordered anything since they went online so can't vouch for current quality.

Also TK Maxx - my friend has bought lots of bigger sizes from there but online rather than in store. Select what you are interested in then filter on size, will be quicker.

Phase eight seems to go up to size 26

Interesting clothes, good quality (xxl is 26 ish): www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/inspiration/autumn-winter-2022/autumn-winter-2022

I like some things from Yours Clothing

Asos curve and asos general plus size

Yours have a wide spectrum of stuff - some hideously frumpy and some not too bad and the odd smart / stylish gem but you have to really Wade through the crap to find things.

It is frustratingly hard work to buy plus size clothes that are decent quality and interesting. I agree with @MuddlerInLaw on Marina Rinaldi - I tend to buy in sales as it can be £££ but the cutting is great and there are some interesting clothes (also some not so interesting stuff - so definitely sift.)

I find M&S autograph good for more classic pieces in good quality fabrics - silk and cotton shorts, wool etc. I have an excellent pair of straight leg, slightly mannish, selvedge jeans that were reasonable and I love. But I don’t like the fit in more tailored jackets etc — they feel like scaled up small garments, rather than pieces cut for bigger bodies.

Also sometimes surprisingly good for quality fabrics is H&M plus - I had a couple of great shirts from there this summer that fit well, have drape, and make a good solid nod to current trends.

I often find Anna Scholz a bit frilly for my taste, but I have an excellent pair of wide leg trousers from her I’ve worn a lot, and I’ve just ordered a midi-dress in the sale that looks promising.

Mango is good for tailoring and more interesting pieces - I bought a brilliant summer co-ord that I have really loved. Quality is a bit variable. V well cut T-shirts, interestingly.

tbh I am uninspired by lots of what’s on offer right now. I’m hoping there is some interesting new stuff coming - or if not, this might be a season for rediscovering stuff I already have and making it work hard with new accessories. Good shoes, hair and jewellery can make fairly basic outfits look more relevant. (Well I hope they can!)

I have been enjoying wearing a new (to me) silhouette this summer of high-waist, wide-leg trousers with a boxy cropped-ish top. Not so crop there’s any danger of skin, but deffo well above hip height. The top should be woven rather than knit - and I find more flattering than (eg) a tucked cami or similar.

Happy shopping - and definitely come back to tell us where you’ve found good stuff!

Dutch company Yoek has some nice things
www.yoek.co.uk
Not cheap though

Oh - I forgot to say that I am currently stalking a few things here: www.almeparis.com/nouveautes

I haven’t ordered from the brand before so don’t know about quality or sizing. But some nice looking at pieces!

I like some of the clothes from here
liveunlimitedlondon.com

Another vote for Live unlimited but size down they’re very generous. Phase eight is my absolute go to for lovely dresses and smart trousers. Next is excellent for looking at a range of plus size clothes to get an idea. Joules also do a good plus range.

Wow, I love loads of the Marina Rinaldi stuff! £400 is definitely out of my budget for a work dress, but I could go to, say, £150 for something I'd get a lot of use out of.

Do they have sales ever?

How did I miss that Fatface does up to 24?! I'd got it in my head that they stopped at 22, no idea why. And I love Fat Face, so thanks!

Boden and White Stuff definitely do stop a 22 though, sadly. I only discover Boden dresses fairly recently and I love them. So easy to wear and lots of styles I liked. But I'm too large now.